Arkansas Fly Fishing Guides For Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing

When most people think of states with great fly fishing opportunities, Arkansas fly fishing doesn’t usually come to mind – but it should. Great fly fishing for trout can be found all across the state. In fact, the world record brown trout was landed in Arkansas, weighing in at a whopping 40 pounds, 4 ounces. This monster was taken from the Little Red River. Rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, and lake trout can also be found in Arkansas lakes, streams, and rivers. You’ll also find a host of Arkansas fly fishing guides to help you locate and land a trophy.

Arkansas isn’t called the “Natural State” for nothing. It consists of mountains, rolling hills, dense forests, caves, lowlands along major rivers, and numerous Wilderness Areas. Some of the best fly fishing is found in rugged, remote areas, so you’ll have much more success with an Arkansas flyfishing guide than you will on your own.

Great Arkansas Fly Fishing Hot Spots

North Fork River – The state record brookie was caught here, weighing five pounds, but the real draw to this river for fly fishermen is the opportunity to catch a record brown. The river has produced brown trout that tipped the scales at over 30 pounds.

White River – This river boasts the state record rainbow trout and the state record cutthroat trout, so it’s not surprising that it’s often mentioned as one of the top 20 trout streams in the nation. The cold water is stocked regularly with rainbows and browns, and brookies and cutthroat trout also ply these waters. This river, while beautiful and abundant with trout, can also be dangerous because of deadly currents. For safety’s sake, hire one of the Arkansas flyfishing guides when fishing the White.

Little Missouri River – This is one of the most beautiful streams in the entire state, and it’s rich in flora, wildlife, birds, and trout. One of the best spots on the river for trout fly fishing is below the Narrows Dam on Lake Greeson. The state stocks the stream with tens of thousands of rainbow trout each season, and the best time to catch the most ‘bows is in early spring. In the summer and early fall, you probably won’t catch as many fish, but the ones you do catch will generally be larger.

Lake Ouachita – Near Arkansas’ center is this 40,000-acre lake, the largest in the state. This gorgeous lake is surrounded by national forest and contains scores of islands, flooded timber, and deep pockets, along with over 900 miles of shore. It’s rated as one of the cleanest lakes in the U.S. If you’re into flyfishing for bass, this is the spot. the lake supports healthy numbers of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, and is often considered the “striped bass capital of the world.” You’ll need an Arkansas fly fishing guide to help you on this sprawling lake.

Greers Ferry Lake – The state record lake trout was landed in this 32,000-acre lake. It weighed 11 pounds, 5 ounces. Greers Ferry Lake is located in the north-central part of the state and is a great place to flyfish for lake trout. Interestingly, the world-record walleye and the world-record hybrid bass were also landed here. Arkansas fly fishing guides can help you catch your limit on this lake.